WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senators Bob Menendez and Cory Booker today announced the awarding of a combined $2,027,477 in federal funding for local fire departments in Wyckoff, Swedesboro and Oceanport to purchase new equipment to improve safety and operations, and to the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PANYNJ) to expand its fire response capabilities at Newark Liberty International Airport.

“These federal investments in New Jersey fire departments will help save lives and protect the firefighters who risk their lives to save ours,” said Sen. Menendez. “There is no more selfless job than that of a firefighter and investing in them is an investment our own safety and the safety of our families.”

“Ensuring New Jersey’s fire fighters are adequately equipped through federal grants like this is the key to maintaining their safety and the safety of our communities,” said Sen. Booker. “That’s why I stand committed to fighting on behalf of the brave men and women in fire houses across New Jersey by letting them know that they will never stand alone.”

The PANYNJ was awarded a $1,917,309 grant from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to acquire a new aircraft rescue and firefighting vehicle for Newark Liberty to assist the airport in meeting safety requirements.

The following local departments received Assistance to Firefighter Grants (AFGs), administered by the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), to purchase new equipment:

$50,834 Wyckoff Volunteer Fire Dept. (Bergen)

$44,572 Auburn Volunteer Fire Dept., Swedesboro (Gloucester)

$14,762 Oceanport Fire Dept. (Monmouth)

Since it was established in 2001, New Jersey has received $164 million in funding from the AFG program to enhance response capabilities, as well as to more effectively protect the health and safety of the public and emergency response personnel.